Help in ordering a VKB Fat King Cobra MkII joystick

[oneeyeddog]

Zettman, thanks for posting this.

[oneeyeddog]

Last i had heard VKB was hoping for a June/July release of their next batch of Joysticks. Does anyone have any current information they could share? Thanks.

[ST_Pirato]

There are some news on the VKB Europe site,seems the new batch will not be ready in Q2,as planned earlier this year. http://flightsimcontrols.com/2014/06/black-mamba-joystick-new-batch-availability/

[oneeyeddog]

Thanks Pirato, end of August it is than.

[Sokol1]

 

Sokol1

[SYN_Vorlander]

thanks for the update Sokol.

 

That looks promising 

[Turil]

I don't get what Sokol1 tries to tell us. Someone translate please?

What Throttle would be a good companion to the Fat Mamba? I'm looking for upgrade options to my T 1600m joystick, so far it's between TM HOTAS Warthog and the VKB Fat Mamba. I thought the X55 Rhino would be a good deal but the looks inside it and the mixed reviews shy me away.

[SYN_Vorlander]

Addon grip for the mamba.

 

I use my warthog throttle with the mamba.

Edited July 8, 2014 by SYN_Vorlander

[Sokol1]

Bf 109  Steuerknüppel (grip) for VKB Mamba (and probable for Warthog).

 

Throttles that work standalone - so can be used with VKB Mamba joystick.

 

CH PRO Throttle

X-52 Throttle

G-940 throttle with VKB "throttle box" interface.

Tm Cougar TQS with VKB "throttle box" interface.

Tm Cougar TQS with Real Simulator TUSBA adapter.

 

WKB plan a standalone throttle for the next year.

 

Sokol1

[SYN_Vorlander]

Dankie Sokol

[JG27_Chivas]

X55 Throttle should also work with the Fat Mamba.

A few months ago I emailed a request to buy the Fat Mamba when available, but received no reply.

Edited July 8, 2014 by JG27_Chivas

[oneeyeddog]

Chivas, there have been time when I've had to send several email over the course of several days before I've received a response from VKB, and there have been other occasions when I've heard back promptly.  The email address that Ive used is   vkb@flightsimcontrols.com   addressed to Eduard.

[JG27_Chivas]

Chivas, there have been time when I've had to send several email over the course of several days before I've received a response from VKB, and there have been other occasions when I've heard back promptly.  The email address that Ive used is   vkb@flightsimcontrols.com   addressed to Eduard.

Thanks for the info

[Sokol1]

You can try too contact VKB Russia, mail - in English - UIV or AlexOZ at vkb.mov@gmail.com

 

http://www.vkb-flightsimcontrols.com/zakaz/index_z.php

 

Sokol1

[oneeyeddog]

Sokol1,thanks for the posts and updates regarding VKB.

[Zettman]

Mainpage was updated again. http://flightsimcontrols.com/

 

 

 

Please, be aware that the shop will not ship any orders during summer holidays which takes one month. All orders made starting from 18.07.2014 will be shipped after 18.08.2014.

 

But this doesn't seem to include the Black Mamba Joysticks, which are still not available. Hopefully after the Summerbreak the new batch will be available, as they announced it in the news beforte this one.

 

Zettman

[oneeyeddog]

Thanks for the info Zettmann.

[Sokol1]

Kg-12 (concept - Wip) grip (for Mamba/Warthog) with additional button (B-Knopf), placed more high than in KG-13B.

 

 

This button position interfere less with thumb movement to reach the A-Knopf (cannon button), and is similar to one used

in early Bf 109 adapted to Jabo.

 

http://s1.hostingkartinok.com/uploads/images/2014/07/a534f7275eb32c5f85461b4c290dd2fc.gif

http://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/uploads/monthly_07_2014/post-842-0-61457500-1405668798.jpg

 

Seems this trapezoidal piece on right/left side bellow the grip is for allow attach a "bicycle" style brake lever (similar to one in il-2, Yak-1, Lagg-3, La-5, Mig-15, ka-50... Spit/Hurri) for differential brake.

 

And if the owner desire fly "blue crates"?

 

The USB controller create two virtual brake axis (right/left), handled by rudder axis, that emulate "toe brakes" without physical toe brakes.

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/topic/1538-t-rudder-ot-vkb/page-5?do=findComment&comment=180599

 

A answer why VKB devices are not always available - take long time to obtain: (loosely translated by G.Translator subject to mistakes)

 

 

... the long wait for obtain our products is  not because we work two days a week and three hours.

Work goes on 10 hours a day, without weekends and holidays.

 

Why long?

 

After (sold) the batch joysticks we wait feedback from our customers.

And based on the reviews are developing a new model.

Awaiting reviews and analysis take several months.

Development of a new model - not too fast.

Production - usually at least two months.

This is such a illness. When trying to do better and better. And you can not stop. ))

But I very much hope that the wait will be justified the new model.

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/topic/1680-vybor-devajsa-vkb-mamba-fat-pro/page-2?do=findComment&comment=179718

 

UIV is some "top brass" of VKB.

 

Sokol1

Edited July 20, 2014 by Sokol1

[Sokol1]

http://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/uploads/monthly_08_2014/post-979-0-41325300-1408011320.jpg

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/uploads/monthly_08_2014/post-979-0-84493500-1408011327.jpg

 

Sokol1

[flypaper41]

I'm ready to buy this one

[Zettman]

Guess the announced batch for late August won't make it in time. Does anyone know when we can expect the Black Mamba batch?

 

Zettman

[oneeyeddog]

Guess the announced batch for late August won't make it in time. Does anyone know when we can expect the Black Mamba batch?

 

Zettman

Are you on their preorder list?

[Zettman]

Are you on their preorder list?

 

Yeah I preordered some month ago. I hope we will get some news about the arrival of the Black Mamba batch in the next two weeks.

 

Zettman 

[ST_Pirato]

I preordered a Mamba Light aswell in January or February this year. I own a Fat Black Mamba with the buttons on base,thought I could use the Extension piece with it,but it's not possible. Was a bit of a let down because no where was stated it won't work when I ordered the Fat version. Thats why I went for a Light one this time,hadn't had any news about neither the stick or the extension since April or so. I've sent 2 Emails since then with no answer. I have patience and understanding for a long waiting time ,but if it goes on like that for some more time I will cancel my order and look out for something different.

[oneeyeddog]

I preordered a Mamba Light aswell in January or February this year. I own a Fat Black Mamba with the buttons on base,thought I could use the Extension piece with it,but it's not possible. Was a bit of a let down because no where was stated it won't work when I ordered the Fat version. Thats why I went for a Light one this time,hadn't had any news about neither the stick or the extension since April or so. I've sent 2 Emails since then with no answer. I have patience and understanding for a long waiting time ,but if it goes on like that for some more time I will cancel my order and look out for something different.

I can empathise with your frustration pirato. There have been times when they have not returned my email for a few days but Ive sent 3 or 4 since the beginning of August and still no answer. I understand and believe they are busy but I cant help but wonder what it would be like if i needed parts or service from these guys.

[Zettman]

S!

 

Any news about the Batch of Black Mambas that was announced to be available at the end of August?

 

Zettman

[oneeyeddog]

 

Zetman, in an email from Eduard I received on the 23rd of September I was told, " I have just received an information from our manufacturing department, that the next batch is currently being produced. Taking into account shipping and custom clearance time, it might be available in Europe early November and be available for outside Europe at end of October ".

Edited October 17, 2014 by oneeyeddog

[Zettman]

Zetman, in an email from Eduard I received on the 23rd of September I was told, " I have just received an information from our manufacturing department, that the next batch is currently being produced. Taking into account shipping and custom clearance time, it might be available in Europe early November and be available for outside Europe at end of October ".

 

Thanks for the information. Now I still have hopes to get one at the end of the year.

 

Zettman

[oneeyeddog]

Thanks for the information. Now I still have hopes to get one at the end of the year.

 

Zettman

As do Zettman. I don't know if its necessary or if it helps at all but I like to send eduard an Email every month, just as a reminder. I'd still appreciate hearing from anyone in North America who has dealt with VKB, especially on a customer service level.

[Sokol1]

The problem is VKB (~three person firm) work method:

 

"... the long wait for obtain our products... Why long?

 

After (sold) the batch joysticks we wait feedback from our customers.  And based on the reviews are developing a new model. Awaiting reviews and analysis take several months. "...

 

At same time they try improve, they limit the availability. Their RDR rudder are in # 22 version....

[Zettman]

S!

 

Some news on their English main page. http://flightsimcontrols.com/2014/12/defender-cobra-m5-revb-is-in-stock/

 

Here the important part:

 

 

 

Q: When Black Mamba joystick will be available ? You promised that in August… A: Sorry for promises we couldn’t keep up.  Now it is certain that Black Mamba will be finally made for EU market in good numbers. Currently the next production batch is planned for Q1 2015.

 

Zettman

[oneeyeddog]

Thanks for posting.

[n0obJeffCraig]

Hello all! I've been looking at these VKB Black Mamba joysticks for a while... And I would have purchased one already if they were easier to get. 

 

I know there's a decent demand for them, so I've created a Massdrop poll to see how many people are out there waiting for one. If you are waiting for the new batch to be released, please add your vote to the poll here:

 

 

Massdrop only starts looking into a product when a poll reaches a minimum of 200 votes, and I'm not sure if there are that many people that want a Black Mamba... but at the very least, this should help give VKB a better idea of how many EU and US users are waiting for them.

 

If we do collect 200 votes, Massdrop would work with VKB to place a bulk order. This would reduce strain on VKB, because they would only need to ship to Massdrop, instead of 200 different US customers. VKB also only accepts money orders from US customers for their products, so doing orders through Massdrop would help some of us feel safer purchasing a Black Mamba.

 

Please help us show VKB that there is demand for their products! Vote on the Massdrop poll!

Edited December 26, 2014 by JeffCraig

[JG27_Chivas]

Voted for the fat Black Mamba

[Zettman]

S!

 

Voted for Fat Black Mamba.

 

Is this vote linked to other flight sim sites? Cause this forum alone won't be able to hit the 200 mark. Maybe someone can link it to this other famous combat flight sim forum and maybe even to that space 'sim' that will hit the market soon.

 

Zettman

[Zettman]

S!

 

New update on their English mainpage.

 

 

Black Mamba Mk.III joystick

There were many changes in plans unfortunately which eventually lead to delays. Sorry about this. We hoped to provide them in time but  the circumstances did not allow to do that.

The manufacturing batch is not yet started but it is planned  for April-May. We expect the joystick  to be in stock in July-August this year. We maintain the waiting list  and everyone who sent us a request about Black Mamba is included and will receive an email when the batch is started.

The next version of Black Mamba will be seriously reworked in almost all aspects: gymbal, electronics, software.

KG12 full-metal stick development is now in a mockup stage. If all goes ok, it should be also available together with Black Mamba Mk.III. Therefore, the joystick should be available in any combination of Cobra stick, KG12 stick, Thrustmaster Cougar/Warthog adaptor and/or stick extension or only the base.

That’s all news for now.

 

http://flightsimcontrols.com/2015/03/t-rudder-mk-ii-and-black-mamba-mk-iii/

 

Zettman

Edited March 27, 2015 by Zettman

[Original_Uwe]

I got tired of waiting, got a Warthog and an extension.

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

I got tired of waiting, got a Warthog and an extension.

 

For myself and my war-aviation interests Baur's KG13 was the obvious choice. 

[Sokol1]

VKB KG-12 prototype was showed. Dont pretend by a 100% replica, the final version will be a mix of Luftwaffe and VVS versions, with (optional) wheel brakes lever (Yak-3) and (optional) adjustable palm rest (Mig-21).

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/15626-vkb-kg-12-grip/

Edited April 2, 2015 by Sokol1

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

VKB KG-12 prototype was showed. Dont pretend by a 100% replica, the final version will be a mix of Luftwaffe and VVS versions, with (optional) wheel brakes lever (Yak-3) and (optional) adjustable palm rest (Mig-21).

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/15626-vkb-kg-12-grip/

 

That thing looks pretty sweet.